Colt 1911 Pistols

Considered by many to be the greatest handgun ever made, the .45-caliber Colt M1911 pistol was the standard-issue sidearm for U.S. servicemen for decades, seeing service in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and in Vietnam. Little changed from their original form conceived by John Browning for the American military, Colt 1911 pistols have enjoyed remarkable longevity thanks to their reliability, relatively slim profile, and exceptional stopping power.

The 1911 and its variants employ the short-recoil principle as the basis for their design. Widely copied by manufacturers of every stripe, the Browning-devised operating system rose to become the standard for 20th century semi-automatic handguns and nearly all modern centerfire pistols.

Many early-issued models are proudly stamped "United States Property," a not-so-subtle hint that the Colt 1911 was the American military's choice of handgun for most of the last century. But the model has even broader appeal. Colt 1911s are popular with civilians in competitive shooting events, as concealed-carry self-defense weapons, and as modified sidearms of choice by special forces and police tactical units around the globe. Even in the face of challenges by newer and lighter weight pistol designs, the Colt 1911 continues to be a popular choice.

Quick Facts

• In 2011 at Rock Island Auction sale, an exceedingly rate early Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol sold for a world record $109,250
• In 2014, a hard-to-find Colt 1911A1 full-automatic prototype with a shoulder stock from the Colt Factory Collection sold at Rock Island Auction for $57,500
• A rare, early production U.S. Army Contract Colt 1911 Pistol sold at Rock Island for $51,750 in 2014